The role of Forensic Scientist Flashcards
Define criminalistics
The holistic approach to recovery, interpretation and presentation of potential evidence
What can be said about most evidence?
It is circumstantial and requires inference to link results to facts of the case
What does a forensic scientist seek?
Determine a common source between evidence and a reference, a known sample or an unknown sample
What is expert evidence?
Recording of items, reporting results, qualify as expert, must stay within field of expertise, communicate without confusing, remain objective/impartial, duty to court
What is the training of a forensic scientist?
Recognition, collections, packaging, preservation and must keep up to date with current methods and literature
What is quality assurance?
NATA accredited and scientist up to date with training and tests
What does professional affiliations refer to?
Different network systems
What research and development does a forensic scientist need?
Knowledge in the field, improve methods, implement published methods and data bases
What is the Frye rule?
To meet the standard in court, evidence in question must be ‘generally accepted’ by the scientific community
What was the Daubert decision?
Frye is not absolute prerequisite to admissibility of scientific evidence. Trial judges were said to be responsible as the ‘gate keepers’ for admissibility and validity of scientific evidence presented in court as well as expert testimony
What are the Daubert rules?
Whether the scientific technique or theory can be tested
Whether the technique or theory has been subject to peer review and publication
The techniques potential rate of error, existence and maintenance of standards controlling the techniques operation
Whether the scientific theory or method has attracted widespread acceptance within a relevant scientific community
